College Policies and Procedures

Animals on Campus

Animals are not allowed on campus with the exception of service animals for people with disabilities. At no time should animals be left in vehicles. Questions should be directed to the campus dean or center executive director.

The ADA and Nebraska law [Section 20-127] allows service animals accompanying people with disabilities to be on MCC’s campuses. A service animal must be permitted to accompany a person with a disability everywhere on campus except in situations where safety may be compromised. If there are any questions as to whether an animal qualifies as a service animal, a determination will be made by Disability Support Services counselors. Therapy animals do not assist an individual with a disability in the activities of daily living; therefore, they are not protected by laws for service animals.

Annual Notice to Students

Annually, MCC informs students of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended. This Act, with which the institution complies fully, was designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act office concerning alleged failures by the institution in complying with the provisions of the Act.

Children on Campus

Out of respect for all students and concern for safety and liability issues, children not registered in MCC classes are not permitted to attend class with their parent or guardian or to be left unattended at any College location. MCC police will attempt to locate a parent or guardian of an unattended child. Legal authorities may be called to deal with the situation if the attempt to locate the parent or guardian is unsuccessful. Students who disregard this policy may face disciplinary action.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Notice

MCC’s standards of conduct prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol by students and employees on College property or as part of any of the College’s activities. Illicit drug use means the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, including anabolic steroids. State and federal laws and any applicable city ordinances pertaining to the possession and use of illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages shall be observed by all College students and employees. A student’s violation of the standards stated in this paragraph shall result in disciplinary sanctions.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Students’ rights concerning access to educational records are outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as amended. These rights include:

providing students with the opportunity to inspect their educational records (Call the Records office at 402-457-2353 for an appointment.);

providing students with the opportunity to challenge through a hearing the content of their educational records if it is believed that they contain information that is inaccurate or misleading (Call the Records office at 402-457-2353 for an appointment.); and

limiting disclosure of information from students’ records to those who have students’ written consent or to officials specifically permitted within the law, such as College officials and - under certain conditions - local, state, and federal officials.

Students who wish to grant parental, spouse, or third-party access to their educational records may do so by submitting an Authorization to Release Student Information form to the Records office.

Metropolitan Community College will not disclose any personally identifiable information about students (except directory information listed below, at the discretion of the College) without the written consent of the student. Each student, however, has the right to restrict the release of this information by submitting an opt out of directory information form or sending in a written request to the Records office. MCC’s directory information may include, at the discretion of the College:

student's name

MCC email address

credit hour status (full- or part-time for the term)

start and end dates of attendance (start date of first quarter of when classes were taken and end date of the last quarter when classes were completed only)

degrees, honors, and awards received

major field of study

photographs, audios, and videos of students participating in official school activities and events*

*In consideration of acceptance of enrollment, students authorize Metropolitan Community College to use their image, likeness, name and comments in, but not limited to, photographs, videos and audio recordings created or used for the purposes of publicity/marketing and advertising for the College.

Students have the right to restrict access to their directory information by completing a Request to Opt Out of Directory Information form. By completing this form, students are requesting that directory information not be released to non-College personnel. As a result of the decision to request confidential status, students should know:

all address changes must be made in person with a form of ID;

no information can be given to friends or relatives trying to locate a student through MCC;

information as to student status is suppressed, so loan companies, prospective employers, family members, etc., are informed that MCC has no record of the student’s attendance; and

the graduation program or any other official publication does not contain the student’s name.

Students who object to the disclosure of any of the above information and would like it withheld from disclosure may notify the Records office in writing at:

Metropolitan Community College

Attn: Records Office

P.O. Box 3777

Omaha, NE 68103-0777

Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity

Metropolitan Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability or sexual orientation in admission or access to its programs and activities or in its treatment or hiring of employees. The College complies with TitleVI of theCivil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1990, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of l975,related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 and all civil rights laws of the State of Nebraska and the City of Omaha.

Solicitation and Distribution of Literature

The College forbids the solicitation of students, employees, visitors, and guests on College property for the sale of goods and services, religious or charitable purposes, or any other activity not officially sanctioned by the College without the prior consent of the president or designee.

The College reserves the right to limit the time, place, and manner of solicitation on College property for any purpose and by any individual or group to reasonable times, places, and methods that do not interfere with the educational or student activities of the College; the safe and unobstructed movement of students, employees, visitors, and guests of the College; the safety of all individuals on College property; and promotion of the cleanliness and preservation of College grounds and facilities.

The College prohibits the placement of any kind of flier or other kind of paper, sticker, pamphlet, or other solicitous information, whether for-profit or not, on any vehicles or anywhere else on College property at any time. College organizations wishing to post announcements on approved College bulletin boards must seek prior permission of the campus dean, executive director, or their designees.